Evenings on the Natchaug have been GOOD!

We've had some solid afternoon and evenings up to now as the levels and flow remain solid with the sporadic rainfall.

Early on the Blue Quills were to go-to mayfly followed by some Hendricksons (not a prolific hatch by any means!) a few March Browns and the usual caddis.  The caddis were not as active as we've seen in past years and a few sulphur are beginning to show.

Blue Quills were the go-to early on

Takes some effort to find rising trout on some days,  but there are solid holdovers from the fall stocking in selected areas. We've taken a number of 14" to 16" browns that based on energy and size may very well be holdovers in some of the lightly pressured areas we fish.  Some BIG browns 18" and up are there and evenings are naturally the best time.  Spinner patterns can always be counted on!

Team7x's Steve took this nice brown on a soft hackle, a solid choice fished in the surface film.

Early June looks good as long as we get a normal dose of rain and no extreme temps.

Most all to the gear listed on our previous post has been sold on behalf of a long time Team7x member.   A Sage 8' DS2 5 wt., 2 piece  remains.

If anyone is interested in Renzetti or Dyna-King vises, let us know.  We also have a huge assortment of fly tying materials in a FishPond travel bag including a number of Whiting hackle.

Annual Catskills trip is just around the corner!

DRAG FREE!

Team7x.com

 The Natchaug River Eastern CT's Finest

Wonderful opportunities currently on the Natchaug for dry fly fishermen and women!

The CTDEEP has fully stocked the river with largely rainbow trout and some fall holdovers are in the mix.  They've done a great job in providing some large rainbows this year and of course the browns are still in the mix with an occasional tiger and brookies!

We've seen Blue quills/Mahogany duns, Hendricksons, and Stone flies earlier.  Hatches start typically around 1:00pm until 4 and again from 6 pm to dark.  LOTS of spinners present during these times...be sure to have a size 14 spinner pattern in your arsenal!  Caddis show up through the day.  Emergers fished just below the surface as well have brought many trout to hand since late March...as the CT trout season is now a year round opportunity.  Long leaders and tippet will be best in some of the tricker currents.

Recent rains and more forecasted have put water levels and flows in perfect shape.  As regulars know this great stream is totally dependent on rainfall to extend the season as long as possible.

Here's Steve with a fine rainbow, one of many we brought to hand on this recent day.

If you haven't experienced the Natchaug or are unfamiliar with the river and access points, we can plan and afternoon or evening with you.  Once you've experienced this wonderful early season gem, you'll be back!

DRAG FREE!

Team7x

SHETUCKET SALMON 

Reports from the Shetucket River remain good for the Atlantic Salmon season.  Those braving the cold have been rewarded with some nice fish as CTDEEP has now fully stocked the river for the season.

Most recently the larger fish up to 20 lbs. completed the seasonal stocking. Anglers braving the cold and the ups and downs of the water levels are having success from Baltic upstream to Merrick Brook.

Don't forget the upcoming CFFA exhibition and banquet on February 4.  More info here:

   https://www.ctflyfish.org/

This is a great annual event with lots of bargains, fly tying and demonstrations throughout the day...SEE YOU THERE!

Here are 3 tips from TU, especially for newcomers:

.

https://www.tu.org/magazine/fishing/trout-talk/three-of-my-favorite-fly-casting-tips/

We teach the "thumb in your peripheral vision" as the first step in improving your cast and tightening your loop.  For most trout fishing scenarios the rod only needs to move a few feet from the side of your head forward with the thumb on top and in your vision both on the back and forward casts.

Mastering this simple rod movement is the beginning step for newcomers that tell us; "I tried fly fishing but it's too hard, etc."  Need help?  We simplify the process with you...LESS IS MORE.  Contact us for a Spring tuneup as the trout season gets fully underway.  All CT streams have been late fall stocked and the season is now open year round!

 The Good ole' SUMMERTIME !

GREAT for the beach, challenging for the trout fly fisher. A lack of rain has reservoirs at low levels and tail waters at some of the lowest levels in a very long time.  Case in point, the Farmington...lowest we've seen in some years, exposing rocks, boulders, runs and holes we are not used to seeing.

The cold water from the minimal releases are keeping the trout active, easier to locate rising fish, and the insects continuing to hatch.  X-caddis patterns worked on a recent visit, along with a sulphur here and there, as that hatch is now only in the uppermost stretches...Canal pool and above. Most all areas of the Farmington are now easily wadeable, so take notes for the future when normal conditions resume!  HINT:  You had better be on 7x if fishing to risers in the low and very clear conditions and if your leader/tippet is not pushing 14 feet...good luck!!

On an annual trip to the Catskills in mid June, conditions could't have been better on the East and West Branches of the Delaware.  The Beaverkill was a bit low and warm, but fishable.

Here's a 20" West Branch wild Brown that fell for a size 20 BWO one nice morning.

On the East Branch, conditions were much the same, nice flows and water temps in the 50's to low 60's.

Here's Matt, my fishing partner and chef (steak au poivre after a long day on the branches)   
along with the requisite rye Manhattan (or 2)...who can beat that!!

Daytime on the East Branch was an earlier morning deal and the beauty above took a sunken caddis in the AM.

We had a great 5 days lodged at the DREAMCATCHER on the banks of the WB.  Caught and released nice Browns during the WB "golden hour" 7-9pm rising to sulphurs, Iso's, BWO's.

Arguably the best in the East, the Upper Delaware, certainly for wild trout!

Stay safe everyone, temps will fall, waters will rise and Connecticut's fall Atlantic Salmon season will be here!

DRAG FREE!

Team 7x

 Sulphurs?  Pale Evening Duns? Vitreus?

Call them what you will...they are hatching on the Natchaug.  It's been a few years since we've seen a substantial hatch of these yellow beauties, and conditions this week were perfect for their appearance.

An emerger size 16, lightly greased,  did the job in a short window between 7:00 and 7:30 PM in one of our favored locations...2 -17" Rainbows and 2 smaller versions, 12" to 14".  Beautiful coloration and gill plates led us to believe they are fall holdovers. Healthy solid and full of energy, they just didn't seem like routine recent stockers.

Warm weather ahead with water temps pushing 70 degrees may limit the chances.  The flow is below 100 cfs and we sure could use some rain to extend the short season.

Enjoyed a nice evening with our guests, Tom and Kathy.  Tom took several nice rainbows on a caddis pattern and Kathy worked on improving her casting as a newcomer.  It was their first time on the Natchaug...and we visited a few different locations for their future reference.

Also ran into a long time ago guest, Ralph who travels from Mass a few times a year to fish the Natchaug. he and his crew are heading to the Dream Catcher Lodge on the WB Delaware shortly.

We'll be there in mid June, can't wait to search for those big Browns!

We had blue quills and caddis for the most part following the early stones.  NO Hendricksons or March Browns to speak of so the sulfurs are a welcome sight.  Most small size 16, although a few larger did appear sporadically during the evening. Not a lot of Browns around, but plenty of Rainbows!

Let's hope we can get a few more weeks on this fine trout stream.  The trout are there and so should you be!  If we can help, give us a shout.

DRAG FREE

TEAM7x

 OPENING DAY...CANCELLED!

Many of our loyal fly fishing followers know that as of March 4, 2022, TROUT SEASON IS OPEN on all rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.  As in 2021 this "soft" opening is scheduled to become a permanent yearly condition, pending some regulation work by CTDEEP.

Certainly this benefits smaller stream fly fishers; no trout massacre on the former traditional opening date; less crowded conditions in light of the ongoing COVID concerns.  Other than adding a few weeks in March to our normal Spring fishing plans not much changes.  Our freestones are largely done for the season around mid-June as flows drop and water heats up and insects disappear.

Certainly the biggest benefit,  in our opinion is the end of the one-day onslaught with trash barrels full with stringers of  discarded trout that the opening day crowd had no intention of keeping. Perhaps great sport for kids for one day but not for dedicated fly fishers who enjoy exploring the freestones.

With a season limited by water conditions anyway, fly fishers have more opportunity to find open space and willing trout during the peak insect hatches.  All in all probably a good strategy by the folks at CTDEEP who do an admirable job in supporting our freestone trout fishery.  Of course year round fly fishing  continues on the Farmington with regulations that certainly benefit fly fishers.

Our TEAM7xer Steve is at it again!  Neither cold air temps or freezing water could keep him from his recent quest to take a pike on the fly!  Fishing a spot on the CT River, known for pike cruising close to shore, he scored!

Great Job Steve, we have now dubbed you the PIKE GURU!

See you on the water!

DRAG FREE!

TEAM7x

A NEW YEAR...NEW CHALLENGES

 Hello everyone and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our loyal followers.  It's been a while for an update and challenges to our wellbeing remain ahead.  Please stay safe and careful until we can get on-water ASAP in the Spring!

Well, when most of us are shut down for the typical winter cold weather conditions, there are exceptions.

Our diehard TEAM7x member, Steve continues to subject himself to 30+ degree water in search of SALMON ON THE SHETUCKET.  With the albie season behind him, Steve just can't put the rod away!

He's first to admit, a hour in the frigid water is about enough.  Looks like that's all the time it takes.

A recent Shetucket Atlantic Salmon beauty!

A couple of Steve's successful patterns.

Anyone else been braving the winter conditions?  Let us know at team7xflyfishing@gmail.com and we'll post your pics and info.

Meanwhile it's a good time for bargains as many on line retailers are offering specials on all kinds of gear, lines, rods (like we need more right?) reels etc.  We highly recommend you try Chris Fave's hand tied leaders this Spring, especially if you're a dry fly guy or gal.  He has a solid SALE going on now!

You might want to review some of our archive posts on butt sections, leaders, etc as you enjoy your coffee or adult beverage of choice by the fireside while waiting for the first shot at Spring!  Likely the CTDEEP will soft open the trout season again in 2022 and licenses are available on line.

Sadly once again the CFFA, CT Fly Fisherman's Assoc., has cancelled, in an abundance of caution for health concerns, its annual event and show, always a welcome outing in the winter months.

We highly recommend joining this fine organization.

Stay warm, stay safe, be careful and as always...

DRAG FREE!

TEAM7x